But my head told my heart

Tomorrow marks the end of week 1 of welfare rotation.  It has been very interesting so far.  Some sad moments, tough conversations and cold trips outside -- all very eye-opening.  I tend to be a pretty laid-back person.  It's nice to have a rotation that makes me think through non-medical situations that may present themselves to me in the future.  It helps to have a good group of people to think through issues with and a great discussion facilitator to bring up viewpoints that we hadn't considered or questions that hadn't crossed our minds.  Even when some of the issues are controversial, our group discusses things very appropriately.  There have been so many situations this year when people are not level-headed and discussions turn personal.  It's often so difficult to push aside our subjective opinions that influence the way we address touchy issues.  Our heart and heads often do not speak the same language.  As a future veterinarians, our medical knowledge and our desire to pick up and cuddle an abandoned puppy often conflict. 

At the end of the day, I'm so glad to come home to my two rescue dogs.  Neither of them came from very good situations.  Some sort of abuse or neglect played a role in both of their previous lives.  Even when I'm gone all day to class or on rotation, I know they have better lives now than before.  Addie especially has come a long way from when I first got her in the fall of 1st year.  She was a mess physically and emotionally.  I had no idea what I was getting into when she jumped in the back of my car and sat there expecting to go home with me.  She was covered in mats and had a body condition score of about a 1.5 or 2 if I'm being generous.  After shaving half her body and giving her a bath, she paced wearily around my trailer.  She was afraid of sudden movements, lots of noises, excited or angry voices, the kitchen floor, dog toys and spray bottles.  (I figured the spray bottle thing out from using cleaning supplies.)  Overtime Addie has become a well-adjusted dog.  She is still sensitive like all collies are, but she resembles the dog I found in 2007 in very few ways.  

Even after adopting them, it's hard to feel like I've made a difference in the big scheme of things.  There are so many homeless pets continually available.  I guess in the end, maybe I did, maybe I didn't, but I know I am a different person because of them and for that I am grateful.